Wire stitching and stapling machine



July 16, 1940. G. H. HARRED WIRE AS'IITCHING AND STPLING MACHINE FiledAug. 22. 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l July 16, 1940.V G. H. HARRED WIRESTITCHING AND STAPLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jub'15, 1940 G. H. HARRED 2,208,259

WIRE STITCHING AND STAPLING MACHINE Filed Aug. 22. 1936 4 Shsets-Sheet 5July 16, 1940.

sheets-sheet 4 Filed Aug. 22, 1936 'umreo ESTATES PATENT OFFICE' y. Lcazoazss Applicata@ August 2z, 193s, serial No. 97,385

19 Claims.

This inventionrelates to wire stitching and stapling machines and moreparticularly to improvements in the control mechanism for shifting thework-support and concurrently starting and stopping the operation of thestitching mechanism.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a controlmechanism of the type indicated which permits agreater range of movementof the treadle to start and stop the stitching mechanism withoutshifting the work-support.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the typeindicated in which the worksupport is shifted into operative positionand the stitching operation started in a particular sequence and thestitching operation stopped and the post released with a delayedsequence.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the typeindicated in which the work-support is automatically locked in itsoperative position independently of the means for` shifting it into suchposition. c

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine o f the typeindicated which may be used over long periods of time without theworksupport becoming loose or shackly due to wear of the operatingmechanism.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an operatingmechanism of the type indicated having a simple and compact structureand capable of operating in a positive and emcient manner to perform itsintended functions.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the followingspecication which describes a preferred form of construction of theinvention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanyingdrawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a box stitching machineincorporating the novel features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of av portion of the base of themachineshowing the mounting for the work-support and the arrangement of theelements of the operating mechanism therefor;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the v same taken online 3 3of Fig. 2 illustrating the work-support in its inoperative position andshowingthe relationship of the parts of the operating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the work-support shifted toand locked in its operative vposition and the control means in positionfor starting the operation of the stitching mechanism; Y

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the work-support locked inits operative position and the control mechanism moved to a position toarrest the operation of the stitching mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6 6 of Fig. 3 showing the pivotalmounting for the worksupport;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line I--l of Fig. 5 showing theinterengaging means on the control lever and locking lever for actuatingthe latter to release the support; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line l-I of Fig. 5 showing one ofthe studs for attaching the mounting for the work-support to the base ofthe machine.

Manually controlled means of the type illustrated and described in U.S.Letters Patent No.

1,802,822 to A. H. Maynard, dated April 28, 1931, I

have heretofore been provided for successively shifting the work-supportand actuating the clutch which controls the operation of the stitchingmechanism. In control mechanisms of this type the clutch is operated andthe work-support shifted in the same sequential order, thus permittingonly a very limited movement of the operating means to actuate theclutch without shifting the work-support. Further, the frictionalengagementof the operating member with the work-support, or otheractuated part causes wear of the parts which results in loosening themounting for the work-support.

The present invention relates generally to a control mechanism includingmeans for shifting the work-support and operating the clutch and aseparate means for locking the work-support in operative position. Thelocking means is so consticted and arranged as to be automaticallyactuated without causing any appreciable friction or wear on theconnections. Wear and strain on the parts is thus reduced and thework-support rendered less liable to become loose or shackly. Moreover,the arrangement is such that the locking means is `not released untilthe control mechanism is returned to its initial position, therebypermitting a considerably greater range of movement of the treadle orother manuallyoperated means to actuate the clutch without releasing thework-support. The invention also incorporates a form of constructionwhich permits ready and convenient adjustment of the parts.

Referring to the drawings, the stitching or stapling machine may be ofconventional type comprising a stitcher-head l0. mounted at the end ofan arm Il which overhangs the side of a support or standard I2. Thestandard I 2 may be bolted or otherwise suitably attached to the top ofla. column I3 which is provided with a base or pedestal I4 adapted to besupported from the floor.v

The Sumner-head lo is usually constructed with a casing or bonnetenclosing the stitching mechanism which, as is well known to thoseversed in the art, comprises means for feeding appropriate lengths ofwire. :forming the wire into staples, and successively driving thestaples into the work. Such a form of stapling or stitching mechanism isdisclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,760,031 to H. G. Allen, datedMay 27, 1930, and the specinc construction of this part of the machineis not therefore herein shown and described. Suiiice it to state thatthe staples are formed with opposite parallel legs which are driventhrough the work, and usually a clincherblock or anvil is arrangedbeneath the stapling head III for supporting the work to be stapled andto coact with the staple-driving means to bend over the legs of thestaple after they have been driven through the work. As beforeindicated, the work-support comprising the clincherblock or anvilconstitutes an essential element of the present invention and will bereferred to hereinafter more in detail.

The stapling mechanism in the head I is operated from a horizontal shaftI5 journaled in suitable bearings in the arm II and adapted to be drivenfrom a pair of belts I6 passing over a driving pulley I1 on the end ofthe shaft, the belts being driven by a suitable motor I8 supported on ashelf above the standard I2. The pulley I1 is f usually drivencontinuously by the belts I6 and a suitable clutch-member I9 is providedfor connecting the pulley with and dl-connecting it from the shaft I5tor start and stop the machine. The clutch-device may beof any preferredform, for example, of the construction illustrated and described in U.S. Letters Patent to Maynard, No. 1,495,342, dated May 27, 1924.Referring to Fig. 1 of the present drawings, the clutch-device isoperated by an axially slidable plunger-pin o'r stud mounted in abearing on the support I2.

The plunger 20 is withdrawn from engagement with the clutch-member I9 toeffect the clutchingof the pulley I1 with the shaft I5 and is slid intoengagement with the clutch-member to declutch the pulley through theoperation of a. bellcrank lever 25. The bell-crank lever is pivoted at26 on the standard I2 and has an arm 21 reaching upwardly to engage a.peripheral groove 23 in the plunger 20 whereby to slide the 'I'he otherarm 29 of latter` in either direction. the bell-crank lever 25 isconnected by a link to a collar 3l secured to a plunger 32. The plunger32 is slidably mounted in suitable spaced bearings 33 on the standard I2and is normally urged upwardly by a spring 34 acting between the lowerbearing 33 and a collar 35, the collar 35 being adjustablelongitudinally of the plunger 32 by means of a set-screw 36 actingagainst the collar 3l to tension the spring 34. The lower end of theplunger 32 extends through the bearing 33 and is connected to one end ofa rocker-arm m the base I4 of the column I3 by a link 31 extendingdownwardly within the column. 'I'he rocker-arm 40 is pivoted at 4Iintermediate its ends with its free end 42 adapted to be operated by atreadle-motion carried on the base or pedestal I4; these connectionsproviding for starting and stopping the machine under foot-control sothat the operators hands are left free for folding and feeding the work.

The foot-control for the machine which, as

"before indicated, may be manipulated to regulate 7 41 is formed with ahub pinned or otherwise 1U ilxedly secured to the end of a rock-shaft 49journaled in bearings formed in one marginal Wall of the base I4 andribs 56 depending from the base. An arm or lever 52 is pinned orotherwise keyed to the shaft 49 between the )5 spaced ribs 50 on theunder side of the base I4 and extends forwardly and rearwardly of theshaft. The rearward end of the lever 52 carries an adjustable element 54in the form of a setscrew which lies directly under the forward end 2042 of the rocker-arm 40. As the foot-rest 46 is depressed the shaft 43and lever 52 are rocked thereby which causes the set-screwA 54 toengageunder the forward end 42 of the rocker-arm 40 to actuate theclutch device I9 through the con- 2;, necting linkage previouslydescribed. 'I'he setscrew54 provides means for adjusting the play orlost-motion between the lever 52 and rockerarm 46 tol effect the propercoaction between the treadle and the stopping mechanism of the ma- 30chine in the manner as hereinafter more fully described. Atension-spring 55 is connected between a lug 56 on the lever 52 and axed abutl ment 51, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and '7, for

returning the treadle to its inoperative position.vr 35 In accordancewith the present invention the work-support comprises a post 60 carriedby a cradle 6I swivelly mounted on the base or pedestal I4 to adapt itfor movement into and out of cooperative relationship with the stitching40 mechanism in the head I0. In the present illustrated embodiment ofthe invention the cradle 6I is swiveled in a supporting frame 62detachably mounted on the base or pedestal I4 to adapt it to be appliedto use with a standard type of machine. The frame 62 has a substantiallyrectangular plate portion 63 with a series of tapped holes 64 disposedto aline with tapped holes 65 in the pedestal. Hollow externallythreadedsleeves 66, illustrated in detail in Fig. 50

8, have slots 6l at their ends to adapt them to be screwed into thetapped holes 64 and into engagement with the pedestal I4. After thethreaded sleeves 66 have been adjusted to properly position the frame 62on the pedestal I4, 5

bolts 68 are passed through the hollow sleeves and tightened in thetapped holes 65 in the pedestal. With this construction the frame 62 issupported on the base or pedestal I4 at a plurality of spaced pointswhich permits it to be accurately 60 and rigidly mounted thereon withoutmachining the parts to form a seat.

The plate-portion 63 of the frame 62 has a central opening 69 and spaceduprights or stanchiens 10 on-opposite sides of the opening, see 65 Figs.2 and 6. The uprights or stanchions 10 are provided with alined bores 1Iin which are mounted bearing bushings 12 having inwardlydirectedfrusto-conical faces 13. The bushings 12 have integral offset flanges 14at their outer 70 ends with screws 15 extending therethrough andthreaded into the stanchions 10 to provide for t-.vk accuratelyadjusting the bushings axially in the K' i stanchions. The stanchions 10are split at one side of the bores., 1I with screws 15 extending 75through their split portions to provide for clamping the bushings 12 inadjusted position. p

The Icradle 6| is swivelly mounted between the stanchions 18 on arock-shaft 16 formed with frusto-conicalfends 11 seated in thecorrespondngly-formed conical faces 1'3 of the bushings 12; the bushingsbeing adjusted to prevent end play of the rock-shaft while allowing freerotative movement thereof. The cradle 6|, preferably constructed asa-casting, ,comprises a cylindrical socket 18 for mounting the post 68and laterally-extending bearing hubs 19 atopposite sides thereof.Preferably the socket 18 is split at 88, see Figs. 2 and 3, and adaptedto be clamped around the end ci e post 68 by means of a bolt 8|. Thebearing hubs 19 are also split to adapt them tobe clamped to therock-shaft 15-by bolts 82, but any other suitable form of clamping meansfor these parts may be provided if desired. 'I'he cradle 6| is rocked bya crank-arm 83 formed with a hub 84 at one end loosely embracing therock-shaft 16 between the bearing hubs 19. The crank-arm 83 extendsdownwardly through the opening 69 in the plate-portion 63 ofl the cradleand an alining opening 85 in the pedestal. 'Ihe lower end of thecrank-arm 83 is bifurcated or forked and carries a pin or shaft 86. Arelatively large roller 81 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 86 betweenthe sides of the fork and a smaller roller 88 is journaled on thelaterally-projected end thereof. A depending arm 89 on the cradle 6|carries a set-screw 98 at its end adapted to be engaged by the crank-arm83 intermediate its ends to rock the cradle 6|; the set-screw 98providing for adjustment of the extent of swinging movement of thecradle under the impulse of the crank-arm.

An adjustable stop is provided' on the plateportion 63 of the frame 62adapted to be engaged by a lug 92 on the cradle. As herein illustratedthe stop is in the form of a hollow threaded stud 9| which may bescrewed into and out of the plate 63 and locked in position by acheck-nut 9|'. A plunger 93 in the hollow stud 9| is urged by a spring93' to act on the lug 92 to normally swing the cradle 6| to inoperativeposition as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3.

'I'he cradle 6| is rocked to its operative position, illustrated in Fig.4, against the action of the spring-pressed plunger 93 by a cam 94 atthe forward end of the lever 52 of the operating mechanism which engagesthe roller 81 at the end of the crank-arm 83. As illustrated in Figs. 3and 4, the cam 94 takes the form of a beveled or angular face at the endof the lever 52 which merges into a circular recess 95 adapted toreceive the roller 81. The beveled cam-face 94 is adapted to act againstthe periphery of the roller 81 to move the bifurcated end of thecrank-arm 83 outwardly from its inoperative position illustrated in Fig.3 to .its operative position illustrated in Fig. 4.

In accordance with the present invention the cradle 6| and post 68 arelocked in operative position independently of the operating lever 52. Inthe present illustrated embodiment the locking means is in the form of alever 96 having a bearing hub 91 at one end loosely journaled on theshaft 49 between spaced ribs 58 on the pedestal at one side of the lever52, see Fig. 2. The end of the locking lever 96 rides on the smallerroller 88 at the end of the crank-arm 83, being resil- -iently heldinengagement therewith by a tensionspring 98 connected to a pin |88 in thelocking lever and anchored to a pin 99 in the lever 52.

The outer end of the locking lever 96 is cut away to form a shoulder |8Iadapted for locking ensagement with the roller 88 when the lever`96 ismoved by the spring 98 after the crank-arm 83 and cradle 6| have beenmoved to their operative position as shown in Fig. 5. The locking lever96 is provided with a lug, |83 adapted to be engaged by a lug |82 on theactuating lever 62, see Fig. '1. at the end of the return stroke of thelatter to move the locking lever to release its shoulder |8| from theroller 88.

The work-support post 68 may be of anyl suitable construction and asherein illustrated comprises a cylindrical tube having a reduced end I2adapted to ilt within the cylindrical socket 18 of the cradle 6|. Atubular member or sleeve ||3 having screw threads on its periphery istelescoped within the upperend of the post 68 and adapted to be adjustedvertically by means of an internally-threaded collar ||4. Slidablymounted in the tubular member ||3 is a plunger ||5 having a head I6 atits lower end yieldingly held against a shoulder ||1 in the bore of themember ||3 by a compression spring ||8. An anvil ||8 is mounted on theupper end of the plunger ||5 and carries a block |28 havingclincher-grooves |2| formed therein. A pin |22 projecting into the boreof the post 68 engages a slot |23 in the member ||3 and a pin |24 in themember ||3 projects into a slot |25 in the plunger I I5 to hold theanvil ||9 and clincher-block |28 from turning on the post.

The construction and arrangement of the work-support, and the controlmechanism having now been described in detail, the method of operationof the complete machine will next be explained. Figs. 1 and 3 of thedrawings illustrate the machine with the work-support post 68 thrown outof operative relationship with respect to the stitcher-head I8 to adaptit to receive the box. carton or other work W to be placed thereon.. Itwill be noted that in this position the roller 81 at the lower end ofthe crank-arm 83 is seated in the recess 95 at the end of the lever 52and the set-screw 98 at the end of the `arm 89 depending from the cradle6| is in engagement with the crank-arm intermediate its ends. Thecrankarm 83 is thus held in position by the lever 52 to support the post68 against further movement by the spring-pressed plunger 93 actingagainst the lug 92 on the cradle.

The operator places the box, carton or other work W across the anvil 9and depresses the foot-rest 46 which causes the treadle 45 to rck theshaft 49 and operating lever 52 pinned thereto. 'I'he inclined cam-face94 on the lever 52 is thus caused to act on the roller 81 torock thecrank-arm 63 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, and due tothe engagement of the setscrew 98 with the crank-arm the cradle 6|, andshaft 16 to which it is clamped, are rocked with the crank-arm. TheWork-support post 68 carried by the cradle 6| is thus swung up into itsoperative position to aline the clincher-grooves |2| in the block |28with the stapling mechanism in the head |8, the movement of the cradle6| being limited by the engagement of the lug 92 with the stop 9|.During the rocking movement of the crank-arm 83 the roller 88 ridesalong the bottom of the locking lever 96 and when the worksupport post68 reaches its operative position the shoulder' |8| in the cut-outportion of the lever will overlie the side of the roller. Consequently,the spring 98 will then act to rock the locking lever 96 and therebyautomatically engage the rock -box ilaps or other work.

4 2,200,251! shoulder Ill with the roller tftlock the crank? cooperationof the parte the treadle- Il arm Il, cradle Il and work-supportpost inis depresseduntil the upper end of the inclined operativepositionasilhistratedinlllg.4. cam-face. is in engagement with theroller Further continued' movement ofthe footcauses the adjustableset-screw rearward end-oi the operating the forward' end l2 o! therocker-arm Il and the latter about its pivot 4|. Referring to Fig. 1,the motion of the rocker-arm Il is transmitted through the link 31,plunger 32 and link 3l, to rock the bell-crank-lever 25 against theaction of the spring ll. As the bell-crank lever 25 is rocked in thismanner its arm 21 withdraws the plunger-pin or stud 20 from theclutch-device to cause the clutch-member -Il to connect the drivingpulley I1 with the shaft l5. The stitchlng mechanism in the head I willthus be operated to drive staples their legs engaging the Into clinchthem against grooves |2I in the block the under sideA of the Should thedriving of the staplebe impeded, as by its legs engaging another stapleor for any other reason, the spring H8 permits the anvil Il! to yield toprevent excessive strain on or breakage of the parts.

The operation of the stitching mechanism may be maintained continuouslyas the operator slides the box or other work across the anvil -to stitcha seam; but if the time elapsed in forming and driving the staples isnot vsuilicient for this purpose, or if for any other reason it isdesired to stop the stitching operation, the operator may manipulate thefoot control to disengage the clutch without releasing the work-supportor post 60. Without entirely'releasing the foot-rest 45 the operator maypermit the .shaft 49 and operating lever 52 to be rocked by the spring55 through a considerable range of movement to release the set-screw 54from engagement with the rocker-arm 40. The plunger 32 will then beraised by the spring 34 acting between *he abutment 33 and the collar 35fixed to the plunger. 'I'he upward movement of the plunger 32 actsthrough the link 30 to rock the bell-crank lever 25 to withdraw theplunger 20 to disengage the clutch. During the movement of the lever 52to actuate the clutch-operating mechanism the' work-supporting post 60is held in its operative position by the locking lever 96 as shown inFig. 5. The treadle 45 may thus be manipulated intermittently with aconsiderable freedom of movement to operate the stitcher-mechanismwithout releasing the work-support or post 50.

At the end of a stitching operation the operator removes his .foot fromthe foot-rest I to release the treadle l5 and the operating lever 52will then be rocked by the spring 55 in the manner previously explained.The lever 52 first releases the rocker-arm 40 and continued movement oithe lever engages its lug |02 with the lug |03 on the locking lever 95to raise the latter to release the shoulder |0| from locking-engagementwith the roller 88.` The lugs |02 and |03 are so re- A lated that theshoulder |0| will release the roller 88 at the 'end of the returnstrolre of the actuating lever 52 at which time the recess 35 isopposite the roller 81. I'he post 60 is thus released in delayedsequence with respect to the sequence of initially shifting the post andactuating the clutch mechanism I S. When the crank-arm 83 is released bythe locking lever 98 the springpressed plunger $3 acts on the lug 92 torock the cradle 6| toits inoperative position as illustrated in Fig. 3.

' To initially adjust the control mechanism for Il at the. lever I2'toengage through the work with I1, as shown in Fig. 5. The set-screw l0 onthe arm ll of the cradle 0| is then adjusted until the post 5I is in itsupright position with the clincher-grooves |2| in register with thestaple- 'driving means in the stitcher-head I0. 'I'he bushings 12 arethen .adjusted by means of the screws until the clincher-grooves 12| arein the proper lateral position with respect to the staple-driving meanswhen they are clamped in position by the screws 15'. The stop 9| -isnext 'adjusted with respect to the plate-portion 53 of the frame 52 toengage the lug 92 on the cradle 6|. The set-screw 5l at the rearward endof the operating lever 52 mayr then be adjusted to operate the clutchmechanism in timed relation as desired. f

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present inventionprovides a novel form of control mechanism for stitching and staplingmachines which may be operated to shift the worksupport and start theoperation .of the stitching mechanism in a particular sequence; or toarrest the operation of the stitching mechanism and shift thework-support with a delayed sequence. It will further be observed thatthe means for automatically locking the work-support in its operatingposition prevents the work-support from becoming loose or shackly due towear of the parts. Y

While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of theinvention it s to be understood that various modifications may be madein the construction and arrangement of the parts of the device withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of theappended claims. Therefclire,without limiting myself in this respect, I C aim:

1. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of stitchingmechanism, a clutch for controlling the operation of the` stitchingmechanism, a' laterally-movable work-support adapted to be shifted intocooperative relationship with the stitching mechanism, andmanually-operated means so constructed and arranged as to directlyactuate the work-support to shift it into operative position andthereafter engage the clutch in a particular sequence and to disengagethe clutch and effect the shifting of the work-support to inoperativeposition in delayed sequence with respect to the particular sequence.

2. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of stitchingmechanism, a clutch for controlling the operation of the stitchingmechanism, a work-support adapted to be shifted laterally intocooperative relationship with the stitching mechanism, manually-operatedmeans for successively shifting the work-support into operative positionand actuating the clutch, and means separate from the manually-operatedmeans for positively locking the work-support in operative position topermit the clutch to be operated without releasing the work-support.

3. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of stitchingmechanism, a clutch for controlling the operation of the stitchingmechanism; a work-support, resilient means normally urging thework-support laterally into inoperative-position with respect to thestitching mechanism,fmanual1yoperated means for successively shiftingthe work-support into cooperative relationship with the stitchingmechanism and actuating the clutch, locking means for positively 75holding the work-,support in its operative position independently of theoperating means, and means controlled by the manuually-operated meansfor actuating the locking means to release the 'worksupport.

4. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of stitchingmechanism, a clutch for controlling the operation of the stitchingmechanism, a work-support, resilient means normally urging thework-support laterally into inoperative position with respect to thestitching mechanism, means for operating the clutch, means for shiftingthe work-support into cooperative relationship with the stitchingmechanism, a lever for successively actuating the shifting means andclutch-operating means during its forward stroke, means for positivelylocking the Work-supportinoperative position,andinterengaging means onthe lever and locking means operative during the last increment ofmovement of the lever through its return stroke to actuate the lockingmeans to release the work-support.

5. In a machine of the type indicated, the combination of stitchingmechanism, a clutch forcontrolling `the operation of the stitchingmechanism, a work-support, resilient means normally urging thework-support into vinoperative position with respect to the stitchingmechanism, a manually-operable lever having a cam for shifting thework-support into cooperative relationship with the stitching mechanism,a locking lever for locking the work-support in operative position, andmeans actuated by the manually-operable lever for operating the clutchwithout releasing the locking lever,

6. In a machine of the type indicated, stitching mechanism, alaterally-movable work-support adapted to be shifted into and out ofcooperative relationship with the stitching mechanism, manually-operatedmeans for shifting the work-support from an inoperative to an operativeposition, and means for positively locking the work-support in operativeposition independently of the operating means.

`7. In a machine of the type indicated, stitching mechanism, alaterally-movable work-support, resilient means normally urging theWorksupport into inoperative position with respect to the stitchingmechanism, manually-operable means for shifting the work-support intocoop.- erative relationship with the stitching mechanism, and meansautomatically operative to positively lock the work-support in operativeposition independently of the manually-operated means.

8. In a machine of the type indicated, stitching mechanism, alaterally-movable Work-support, resilient means normally urging thework-support into inoperative position with respect to the stitchingmechanism, manually-operable means for shifting the work-support intocooperative relationship with the stitching mechanism during asubstantial portion of its forward stroke, automatically-operative meansfor positively locking the work-supportin operative position, and meanscontrolled by the manually-operable means and operative during the lastincrement of movement of the latter through its return stroke to actuatethe locking means to release the work-support with a delayed action.

9. In a machine of the type indicated, stitching mechanism, awork-support, resilient means normally urging the work-support intoinoperative position with respect to the stitching mechanism,manually-operated means including a cam operative in one direction toshift the Work-support into cooperative relationship with the stitchingmechanism, means for automatically locking the work-support in itsoperative position, and means for actuating the locking means adJacentthe end of the return stroke of the manually-operable means to releasethe work-support with a delayed action.

10. In a machine of they type indicated, stitch- 4ing mechanism, awork-support, resilient means normally urging the work-support intoinoperative position with respect to the stitching mechanism, apedally-operated lever, a cam on said lever for shifting thework-support into cooperative relationship with the stitching mechanism,a lever adjacent the pedally-operated lever having means for locking thework-support in operative position, and interengaging means on the twolevers for operating one from the other to release the work-support.

11. In a machine of the type indicated, a frame, a cradle pivotallysupported on the frame, a work-support mounted on the cradle, amanually-operable lever, a cam on said lever for rocking the cradle onits pivot to swing the worksupport into operative position, and meansfor locking the cradle to retain the work-support in operative positionindependently of the manually-operable lever.

12. In a machine of the type indicated, a frame, a cradle pivotallysupported on the frame and having a socket, a work-support post mountedin the socket, a crank-arm for rocking -the cradle on the frame, amanually-operable lever, a cam on said lever for engaging the crank-armto rock the cradle and post into operative position, a

lever adjacent the manually-operable lever having means for engaging thecrank-arm to lock the cradle, and a spring connecting the two leverswhereby the locking lever is yieldingly urged into locking engagementwith the crank-arm as the manually-operable lever is actuated to shiftthe post.

13.111 a machine cf the type indicated, a

frame, stitching mechanism carried by the frame, a cradle pivotallymounted on the base of the frame for swinging movement laterally of thestitching mechanism, a work-supporting post carried by the cradle, acrank-arm for rocking the cradle, a manually-operable lever, a cam onsaid lever cooperating with the crank-arm to rock the cradle to shiftthe post into cooperative relation with the stitching mechanism, a leveradjacent the manually-operable lever having means for locking the postin operative position, and interengaging means on the manually-operablelever and locking lever for actuating the latter to release the postadjacent the end of the return movement of the manually-operable lever.

14. In a machine of the type indicated, a frame, a cradle pivotallymounted on the frame and having a socket, a work-supporting post'mounted in the socket, a crank-arm for rocking the cradle on its pivot,a rock-shaft pivotally mounted on the frame, a treadle for rocking saidshaft, a lever fixed to the rock-shaft, a cam on said lever engaging thecrank-arm to rock the cradle to shift the post into operative position,a second lever loosely mounted on the shaft and having means engagingthe crank-arm to lock the cradle in operative position, a springconnecting the two levers for automatically moving the locking meansinto engagement with the crank-arm as the latter is moved by the cam, aspring for moving the treadle to inoperative position, and interengagingmeans on the levers for actuating the VYIIS locking lever to release itfrom engagement with the crank-arm when the treadle is returned toinoperative position.

15. In a machine of the type indicated, a pedestal, stitching mechanismmounted above the pedestal, and a work-support adapted to be moved intoand out of cooperative relationship with said stitching mechanism, saidwork-support comprising a frame having adjustable abutments for engagingthe pedestal at a plurality of spaced points, means for clamping theframe to the pedestal, a post pivotally mounted on the frame and havingclincher-grooves at its upper end, a treadle mechanism pivotally mountedon the pedestal, and interengaging means on the post and treadle forrocking the post Vto swing the work-support into operative position asthe treadle is operated.

16. In a machine of the type indicated, a pedestal having an opening inits base.v stitching mechanism mounted above the pedestal, and awork-support adapted to be moved into and out of cooperativerelationship with said stitching mechanism, said work-support comprisinga frame having hollow adjustable abutments for engaging the pedestal ata plurality of spaced points around the opening therein, bolts extendingthrough the hollow abutments and screwed into the pedestal to attach theframe to the ped-V i estal, a post pivotally mounted on the frame andhaving clincher-grooves at its upper end and an arm depending throughthe opening in the pedestal, and treadle mechanism pivotally mounted onthe pedestal and having means engaging the arm for rocking the posttoswing the Work-support into operative position.

1'7. In a stapling machine the combination of a staple forming anddriving mechanism, a clincher post for coaction with said mechanism andtiltable between work-loading and clinchinz positions, a control lever,means controlled by said lever for controlling the actuation oi saidmechanism, a rockable member operable to shift said post into clinchingposition, manually adjustable means between said member and post forregulating the eiIect thereof upon said post, and cam means actuated bysaid lever for actuating said member prior to actuation of saidmechanism.

18. In a stapling machine the combination of a staple forming anddriving mechanism, a clincher post ior coaction therewith and tiltablebetween work-loading and clinching positions, a control lever, meanscontrolled by said lever for controlling actuation oi' said mechanism, amember rockably supported independently of said post and operablethereon to shift the latter into clinching position, and cam meansactuated by said lever for actuating said member prior to actuation ofsaid mechanism and eiective to lock said post in clinching positionthroughout the period of actuation of said mechanism.

19. In a stapling machine the combination of a. staple forming anddriving mechanism, a clincher post for coaction therewith and tiltablebetween work-loading and clinching positions,

a depressible pedal lever', means controlled by depression of said leverfor effecting actuation of said mechanism, a member rockable to shiftsaid post into clinching position,n manually adjustable means forregulating the effect of said member on said post, cam means actuated bysaid lever for rocking said member prior to actuation of said mechanism,and adjustable means coacting with said manually adjustable means toaccurately position said post in clinching position.

GEORGE H. Hannan.

